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Parsons encouraged by NOIA's message to Premier on
Hebron-Ben Nevis June 21, 2006
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Kelvin Parsons, MHA for the District of Burgeo & La Poile and Liberal
Opposition critic for Natural Resources, says he is heartened to hear the
Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) communicate a direct and
clear message to government that negotiations on Hebron- Ben Nevis ought to
resume immediately. NOIA held a press conference today during its 2006 annual conference which outlined the benefits of the province’s oil and gas industry to all stakeholders, including the people of the province. It also stressed how important it was to once again commence talks on the Hebron oil project in an attempt to resolve the impasse between government and the oil company and maintain the industry’s momentum. "The premier heard a very definite and distinct message here today from industry representatives that it is time to hammer out a solution to this stalemate,"stated Parsons. "It is in everyone’s best interest that this government not only leave the impression that the door is still open for negotiations to begin again, but to actually make a move towards building a better relationship with the companies involved so that a workable solution can be achieved. "NOIA is quite right when it states that the future of our province depends on a great deal on the oil and gas industry functioning in a full-cycle capacity, from exploration to development and to production. Once the momentum in the industry has been allowed to lapse, it will be even more difficult to kick start it in the future. What the premier fails to see is that this is not just about Hebron being stalled, his stubborn stand and lack of leadership is affecting the long-term thrust of a valuable industry and effectively compromising the ability of our province to prosper on its own financial legs." The Liberal MHA says he also concurs with NOIA’s message that, notwithstanding what is happening on the Hebron negotiations, government must conclude a natural gas royalty regime in consultation with stakeholders to attract further industry exploration. "Government must also abide by the binding decision by the independent panel which selected the chairman and CEO of the offshore petroleum board, the C-NLOPB so that it can be more effective in its role. "The premier has done an abysmal leadership job on the Hebron project and today, NOIA’s message should make him realize there are voices besides his own that he should be heeding, as his way is definitely not working."
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